The trial of Ludwig Zind, local schoolteacher charged with publicly defaming Jews, opened here today and is attracting nationwide attention. Actually Zind is charged with four counts: libel, condonation of crimes, threats of criminal violence and defamation of the dead. If convicted he faces a maximum term of two years.

In his opening statements to the court today, the suspended high school teacher said the Nazis were justified in imprisoning Jews “to keep them from betraying Germany.” He asserted that the Jews had “admitted they would give their complete material and financial support to England in the fight against Germany.”

For several months after Zind’s statements were made public, the authorities did nothing about them. However, under the impetus of a student protest movement and subsequent public indignation, the Baden-Wurttemburg provincial authorities moved to bring him to trial.